The New Jersey Devils were coming off of a two game set where they lost both, and didn’t look very good while doing it. They had a week of tough practice to prepare for one of the best teams in the National Hockey League, the Nashville Predators. None of it was enough, and the Predators defeated the Devils in overtime 4-3.
This was a much better game for the Devils. They had everything going for them in the game. Then a power play goal by Fillip Forsberg, created by a great play by Ryan Johansson to pass it cross ice tied the game. Predictably, Kyle Turris won it in overtime.
The Devils were much more structured and looked like they wanted to be there. Nashville is very good, and its not easy to compete with them. The Devils deserved the point they got. One could argue they deserved two.
How many times are we going to talk about how good the top line is? The answer is a lot. Like a whole lot. Kyle Palmieri had three assists, Nico Hischier scored two goals, and Taylor Hall added two assists of his own. Unless someone comes out of nowhere and lights the world on fire, or there is an injury, these will be the teams three leading scorers, and it might not be close. One of Hischier’s goals came on the power play, and he already has more goals with the man advantage (2) than he did last season. 19 of his 20 goals came at even strength in 2017-18.
Keith Kinkaid played well again for the Devils. Getting Cory Schneider back will be a boost for the club, because having two solid goalies is important if you want to be one of the best teams in the NHL, but Keith has been everything and more for the Devils since stepping in. He made 32 saves on 36 shots in this one.
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One thing that stuck out as problematic, is forward line chipping in any offense besides the big line. If that keeps up, Taylor Hall should find himself in the Hart Trophy conversation again. If his lead over the second best guy in points is that big.
Travis Zajac had the winner on his stick with minutes remaining in the third period, but he was not able to get the puck past Nashville goaltender Jussi Saros. There seems to be some chemistry between Marcus Johansson and Jean Sebastien Dea, but they couldn’t bury. The Devils will need some more production from their middle six and even the fourth line, otherwise this could end without a postseason appearance.
The Devils will next take on the Florida Panthers on Saturday. If they play the exact same game on Saturday that they did tonight, we can expect a win.